Great education begins with great guides
Here, our guides are the great literary minds of the past, accessed through the best books, as well as living mentors. Our mentors are more than teachers—they are cultivators of wonder, builders of character, and companions on the journey of learning. Each one brings a rich blend of knowledge, creativity, and heart to the classroom, inspiring students not only to think deeply but to love learning. Get to know the people who make Hilltop a place of growth, joy, and meaningful connection.
Karla Huntsman
Karla is a delight! She is so personable and joyful, being in her precense is uplifting and inspiring!
Karla has spent over 25 years on the faculties of four universities teaching storytelling, drama education, public speaking and interpersonal communication. She provides residencies, workshops, teacher in-services, conference presentations, and performances at state, and national venues. She is currently working as a professional teller and drama specialist.
Her performances include school assemblies, libraries, festivals, conferences and in-home concerts. She frequently includes guitar, autoharp, djembe drum, washboard and/or puppetry with her storytelling programs.
There is nothing more important to Karla than consecrating her life to Heavenly Father, so as a disciple of Jesus Christ she has been on many of His errands, or missions, her whole life.
Ruel Haymond
Ruel is a master teacher whose influence lingers long after the lesson ends. With a gift for breathing life into government, current events and constitutional studies, he draws students into meaningful stories of the past—then turns those stories into mirrors and windows, helping students see truth, wrestle with ideas, and grow in conviction. He has over 20 years of experience teaching youth. Known for asking the kind of questions that spark real dialogue and thoughtful debate, Ruel doesn’t just inform—he inspires.
Just when you think you’re deep in discussion, he’ll surprise you with a quiet moment of reflection that stirs your heart and strengthens your desire to follow Christ. A multi-year recipient of the “Best Teacher of the Year” award, Ruel is beloved by students for his clarity, depth, and deep personal investment. To be in his class is to think more deeply, feel more fully, and walk away a little more committed to what truly matters. He has a BA inFamily Science & Spanish, Utah State University; Master of Science, Instructional Technology, Utah State University.
Ruel is a disciple of Christ, and teaching more than a career is a mission to him. In his youth, Ruel served a proceliting mission for the Lord in Chile.
Kennedy Palowska
Kennedy is beloved by all her students for her intellectual sharpness combined with a confident and gregarious love light. Her analytical process in clear to follow, helping her students feel confident in their ability to grow their logical and rational abilities. Kennedy brings beauty and light through her appreciation of all things humanities. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utah Valleu University and a Masters Degree in Humanities from Ralston College. She studied abroad in Greece and delved into its language in order to study New Testament documents in their original language. She has taught classes in Speech and Debate, Logic, and Classical Literature.
Kennedy is a disciple of Christ, and served Him on a mission in Poland.
Russell Frandsen
Russ is an avid amateur historian whose curiosity and enthusiasm for history is both delightful and contagious. He believes that there are important lessons to be learned from all parts of history. When Russell was a teenager what he wanted most for his birthday was a subscription to history magazines covering the U.S. Civil War and World War II. Most years you can find Russell on the road with his family doing extended road trips visiting historical sites. His children call it vacation but it is really an extended educational field trip (do not tell his kids!!!). He spends a lot of his free time listening to historical documentaries and podcasts.
He has previously taught history classes covering (1) U.S. Civil War, (2) Cold War, (3) Roman Empire, (4) World War 1, and (5) World War 2. He graduated from BYU with a bachelors in Social Work and a Masters degree in Public Administration; his career is focused on government.
He is a disciple of Christ and serves Him as a consacrated husband and father. As a young man Russ served Him on a proceliting mission in Chicago, IL, Spanish speaking.
Susan Bradarich
Cursive & Penmanship Mentor | Reading Fluency Support | Math Facts
With over 30 years of dedicated teaching experience in a classical education Carden School, Susan Bradarich has taught hundreds of children of all abilities how to write beautiful cursive penmanship and script. She is a talented patient mentor who brings both warmth and wisdom to her work. She specializes in helping students develop clear, confident handwriting and fluent reading skills.
Susan is systematic in getting children to memorize their multiplication facts.
Known for her kindness and consistency, Susan creates a calm and encouraging learning environment where children thrive. Whether students are just beginning cursive or need extra support in penmanship or reading fluency, or math facts, her steady guidance makes a lasting difference.
Maraly Frandsen
Maraly Frandsen is a renaissance woman with graduate studies in education and years of experience directing Lighthouse Montessori Academy. Her Montessori training through AMS at Westminster, along with a deep love for language learning, inform her joyful, child-centered approach. She loves to help kids understand math, love history, and learn languages. With law and public administration degrees from BYU and a passion for family-integrated, Christ-centered learning, she brings a rare blend of intellect, creativity, and heart to every endeavor.
Danitza Jopia
Danitza brings a rich blend of experience, heart, and joy to her teaching. Originally from Chile, she holds a degree in special education and has taught in Montessori classrooms, where she developed a deep love for hands-on, child-centered learning. At HilltopEdu, Danita leads a creative Spanish immersion class through cooking—helping students learn real-world Spanish as they prepare simple, delicious meals they can recreate for their families at home.
Known for her engaging, fun, and optimistic spirit, Danitza makes every child feel welcome and capable. She’s deeply dedicated to her own family and guided by her love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the temple. Her classes reflect not only her professional expertise but also her joy, faith, and belief in every child’s potential.
Heather Hobbs
Heather is a dedicated and caring student mentor who creates an environment of positivity and connection. She brings energy and fun to the interactions around her and has a nack for making people feel heard and valued. Heather has a passion for teaching children! Through her keen abilities with children of all ages, she’s able to connect, teach, and nurture in important ways. She is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at UVU with a minor in Spanish. Her love for Spanish first developed on her spanish-speaking mission in the exotic lands of Nebraska! She has continued this passion through a study abroad in Spain and taking every opportunity to involve herself in Latin communities around her and through her Mexican roots! She hopes to use her education and experience to help and influence others with love, commitment, and a life-long joy for learning.
Heather currently serves as a vice president on the UVU institute council and enjoys the beauty of God through relationships with others and being in nature.
